Hydraulic-pressure generating, controlling, and applying apparatus.



J. w.- NELSON.

HYDRAULIC PRESSURE GENERATING, CONTROLLING, AND APPLYING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION IILED DBO. 21, 1908.

Patented Nov.9, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J7 l HH H BY MM ATTORNEY J. W. NELSON. HYDRAULIC PRESSURE GENERATING, CONTROLLING, AND APPLYING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 21, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Nov. 9, 1909.

JAMES W. NELSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

HYDRAULIC-PRESSURE GENERATING, CONTROLLING, AND APPLYING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 21, 1908.

Patented Nov. 9, 1909.

Serial No. 468,436.

T c all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES W. 'NELSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in I-Iydraulic-Pressure Generating, Controlling, and Applying Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for generating and applying hydraulic pressures, wherein the pressure generating mechanism is located at some distance from the device or devices for applying the pressure, the latter being capable of independent movement and adjustment, and which is provided with means for controlling, equalizing and distributing the generated pressures, these last mentioned means being located in proximity to the applying device or devices, where the actual work is being done, and being movable therewith inclependently of the generating mechanism. In a copending application, filed March 2, 1908, Ser. No. 418,683, I have shown and described an apparatus in which the same general ideas are incorporated, and the present invention resides more particularly in improvements in the separate valve block or controlling device shown and described in said copending application. In this earlier application, the valve block is designed to be placed in any convenient position, and owing to themanner in which the connecting pipes are secured thereto, would generally lie in a substantially horizontal position. It is well known that these devices are most frequently employed in locations and under conditions which render it very diflicult to obtain pure water for the pumps. The presence of sediment or solid matter in the water, results in the portions of the same becoming ultimately lodged in the valve seats to the point of interfering with the proper operation of said valves which thus soon require removal, for replacement-due to wear, or for the purpose of cleaning said valves and the valve bore. I have found that if these valves operate in a vertical direction,

and particularly if they are downwardlyseating, whereby the water is taken in from below and forced under pressure in an upward direction through the valve bore or bores, and is discharged in a downward direction through said bore or bores when the pressure in the ram chamber or chambers is relieved, sediment is much less likely to accumulate in the valve seats, thereby lengthening the period during which the device may be used without cleaning and the useful life of each valve. The present invention, therefore, contemplates the provision of a valve block of the character above described in connection with a plurality of double piston pumps, the valves seating clownwardly and said valve block being provided with means for securing vertical operation of the alves during use of the device.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view, with parts in section, of a complete apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged central longitudinal section of the valve block or controlling device, and Fig. 3 is a central transverse section, slightly reduced in scale, through the lower portion of said valve block.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, numerals 11 and 12 refer to hydraulic pumps, which for the purpose of this description, may be considered as in all rcspects identical, wherefore a detailed description of one will suffice for both. Referring then, first, to the pump 11, I have shown the pump block provided with a central bore, comprising an upper and larger portion 13 and a lower and smaller portion 14. Operating in the larger portion 13 of said bore is the reciprocating piston 15 mounted upon the piston rod 16, from said piston 16 projecting an extension 1? of the piston rod carrying at its end the piston 18 operating in the lower and smaller portion 14 of said bore. From the bottom of the larger portion 13 of said bore, underneath the piston 15, leads the duct 19 through the coupling or connection 20 to the more or less flexible metal pipe 21. Similarly, from the bottom of the chamber 1- underneath the piston 18, leads a duct :2 through the coupling or connection o the pipe 24. The piston rod 16 may be reciprocated in the usual manner by means of the pump lever 25, or said piston rod may be coupled to a rotating shaft or other source of power. In a similar manner, a duct from the upper and larger chamber in the pump block 12, leads to and through the vided with the removable valve plug 56 re coupling 26 to the pipe 27, and a duct- .leads I from the lower and smaller chamber in said pump block through a coupling 28 to the pipe 29. The pump 12 may similarly be operated by means of an independent pump lever 30, or the piston rod in said pump may be similarly coupled to the same shaft which operates the pump 11 or to an independent source of power.

The valve block 31 preferably comprises a cylindrically-shaped body, the lower end of which is provided with a comparatively large central bore 32, and the upper end of which is provided with a pair of relatively smaller longitudinal bores 33 and 34 which lead from the top of said block to the bore 32. The bore 33, which is of smallest diameter at that part thereof adjacent to the bore 32, is at 35 increased in diameter to provide a seat for the valve 36, which has a stem 37 extending downwardly and projecting into the bore 32. The widened portion 38 of said bore is at 39 again increased in diameter to provide a seat for the valve 40 which has a stem 41 extending downwardly under normal conditions nearly but not quite to the valve 36. The portion 42 of said bore, above the valve 40, is preferably provided with a cylindrical plug 43 to reduce the effective area of said bore, the top of said plug providing the seat for the valve 44 which has a stem 45 extending downwardly under normal conditions nearly but not quite to the valve 40. Above the valve 44, the here is again preferably increased in diameter to provide a chamber 46 and. is there screw-threaded for the reception of the screw-cap 47 which closes anl seals the upper end of said bore. The upper valve 44 is preferably spring seated, as shown. Similarly, the bore 34 is at 48 iiicreased in diameter to provide a seat for the valve 49 which has a stem 50 extending downwardly and projecting into the bore a slightly less distance than the stem 37 of the valve'36 projects into said bore, for reasons which will hereinafter be made clear. The widened portion 51 of said bore is at 52 again increased in diameter to provide a seat for the valve 53 which has a stem extending downwardly under normal conditions nearly but not quite to the valve 4-9. The portion 55 of said bore is similarly producing the effective area of the bore at this point, the top of which provides a seat for the valve 57 which has a stem 58 extending downwardly under normal conditions nearly but not quite to the valve 53. Above the valve 57, this bore is similarly preferably increased in diameter to provide the chamber 58, and similarly screw threaded for the reception of the closing and sealing cap An open duct 60 connects the two chambers 46 and 58.

From the portion 38 of the bore 33, between the vaives 36 and 40, leads a duct 61 to and through the laterally projecting arm 62, which is screw-threaded for the reception of the union or coupling 63 at the end of the pipe 21 from the larger pump chamber in the pump 11. From the portion 42 of I said bore, between the valves 40 and 44,

leads a duct (34 to and through the laterally projecting arm ('35-, which is screw-threaded for the reception of the union or coupling 66 at the end of the pipe 64 leading from the smaller pump chamber in said piunp 11. Similarly, from the portion 51 of'the bore 34, between the valves 49 and 53, leads a duct 67 to and through the oppositely projecting arm 68, which is screwthreaded for the reception of the union or coupling 69 at the end of the pipe 27 which leads from the larger pump chamber in the pump 12. From the portion 55 of said bore, between the valves 53 and 57 leads the duct 70 to and through the corresponding arm 71, which is screw-threaded for the reception of the coupling or union 72 at the end of the pipe 29 which leads from the smaller pump chamber in the pump 12. At the upper end of the valve block 31, are the two similarly projecting arms 73 and 74. From the cha iiber 46 at the end of the bore 33 and above the valve 44, leads a duct 75 to and through said arm 73, which is screw-tlneaded for the reception of the union or coupling 7 6 at one end of the pipe 77, the other end of which communicates through the coupling or union 78 and the duct 7 9 with the chamber 80 below the ram 81 in the ram cylinder 82. Similarly, from the chamber 58 at the top of the bore 34 and above the valve 57 a duct 83 leads through the lateral arm 74, which is screw-threaded for the reception of the union or coupling 84 at one end of the pipe 85, which leads through the union or coupling S6 and a suitable duct to the chamber underneath the ram 87 in the ram cylinder c88these two rams and their component parts being preferably identical in all ma- "erial respects.

In the bore 32, I provide a cylinder or push tube 89, the upper end of which is adapted to impinge against the ends of the two valve stems 3'7, and 50. The lower end of the cylinder 89 is provided with the inturned flange 90 against which acts the spring 91 in compression between said flange and the top of said bore, which tends to yieldingly retain said cylinder in its lowermost position.

The block 31 is provided with a lateral aperture which is screw-threaded for the reception of the screw-plug 92, which closes and seals said aperture and which has centrally journaled therein the short shaft 93. At the interior end of this shaft is mounted the cam 94, in cooperative positional relation to the lower end of the cylinder 89. Upon the outer end of said shaft 93 is mounted a head in which is pivoted the end of the lever 96, by means of which said shaft 93 is rotated and said cam 95% thereby operated to raise the cylinder 89. Said block 31 is also provided with a lateral aperture to the bore 32 which'is closed and sealed by means of the plug 97 which carries the nipple 98, a duct 99 from the bore 32 eX- tending through said nipple which is adapted to receive the end of a rubber or other suitable flexible tube or hose leading to any convenient source of liquid supply, such as a barrel or tank of water. In order that this valve block 31 may be retained in a substantially vertical position and therefore insure substantially vertical operation of the valves, 1 mount the same on a heavy base or standard 101.

It will now be apparent that under normal conditions, upon the up stroke of the pistons in the pump 11, partial vacuums will be created in the chambers 13 and 1e underneath said. pistons. The inequality of pressure, due to the partial vacuum in the upper and larger chamber 13, will result in the unseating of the valve 36 and the flow of water or other liquid from the source of supply through the pipe 100 and the bore 32, thence upwardly through a smaller portion of the bore 33 past the valve 36 and into the duct 61, and thence through the pipe 21 to said pump chamber 13. The partial vacuum in the chamber 14, will correspondingly unseat the valve 4L0, and similarly result in a flow of the liquid upward through the portion 38 of the valve bore, and through the duct 64: and the pipe 2% to the chamber 14: underneath the smaller piston. Upon the down stroke of these pistons, the excess of pressure above the valve 36 will seat the same and the flow of water under pressure of both pistons will be directed upwardly, that from the chamber 13 through the por tion 38 of the valve bore and past the valve 40, which it unseats, u nere it joins the water under pressure f the lower piston and continues upwardly past the valve 14 and into the chamber 46, where, on account of the duct 60, the pressure is equally distributed between the ram chambers. Similarly, upon the upstroke of the piston in the chambers in the pump 12, the partial vacuum in the chamber below the upper and larger piston, will result in the flow of liquid from the source of supply through the bore 32 and the portion 35% of the other valve bore, past the valve 49, which it unseats, and through the duct 67 and the pipe 27 to said chamber. The partial vacuum created in the chamber below the lower and smaller piston, will in a similar manner cause a portion of the flow to be directed upwardly through the portion 51 of said valve bore, past the valve past the valve 53, where it joins with the tlow from the smaller chamber and proceeds under pressure pastthe valve 67 to the chamber 58, where in a similar manner it is equally distributed between the ram chambers.

It will be apparent that each pump having its own separate and independent series of valves, it is wholly immaterial whether one pump only or both pumps are operated, whether or not the pumps are operated by power or by hand, whether they work synchronously or alternately, and whether they work under equal or different powers.

The employment of one or more multiple pumps, that is, pumps comprising more than one piston, is generally for the purpose of first causing the flow of a large volume of liquid to rapidly raise the ram or rams to the point where it or they receive the full weight of the load, after which the larger piston in each pump, if more than one, is rendered inoperative, whereby speed is sacrificed for increased power under the wellknown principles of hydrostatics, to do the effective work. In the apparatus herein shown and described, two double pumps are employed for the purpose of very rapidly i raising the rams to the point where they receive the full weight of the load, and thereafter generating great power at the sacrifice of speed. V hen this greater power is desired, the larger piston in each pump should be rendered inoperative, and to accomplish this, I turn the lever 96 through an arc sutlicient to operate through the cam 94 to raise the tube 89 to the point where the top thereof impinges againstthe stems 37 and 50 of the valves 36 and 19 and raises said valves and holds them off their seats. It will now be apparent that the liquid which flows in the manner described to the larger pump chambers upon upstroke of the pistons in said pumps, will, upon the downstroke of said pistons, instead of being directed upwardly past the valves 40 and 53, follow the paths of least resistance and return past the now open valves 36 and 49 back to the source of supply. It will thus be seen that with the valves 36 and 4:9 held off their seats, the lower and smaller pistons alone are effectively operative.

It is furthermore well known that apparatus of this type is frequently used under conditions which render it difficult if not impossible to signal from the point where the work is being done to the point where the pressure is being generated, and thereby terminate the application of increased pressure, as for instance when it is desired to note the effect of the work done up to that time. It will be seen that by turning the lever 96 through a slightly greater are the cam 94 will operate to still further raise the tube 89, causing the valves 36 and 49 to impinge against the stems 41 and 5a of the valves 40 and 53, respectively, and unseat said valves 40 and 53. Under these conditions, both pistons under each pump have been rendered effectively inoperative, the Water in the lower as well as in the upper chamber of each pump being forced back to the source of supply instead of upwardly through the portions l2 and of the valve bores and thence past the valves l- L and 57 to the ram chambers. Even; should the pumping operations be continued, under such conditions, no liquid will be forced into the ram chambers.

When the Work has been done and it is desired to remove the rams for relocation or readjustment, or for any other purpose, it will obviously be first necessary to relieve the pressures in the ram chambers in order that the rams may be lowered. It will be apparent that this pressure is sometimes very great, and that the upper pressure valves, particularly if of considerable surface area, are sometimes unseated with great difficulty. It is therefore exceedingly desirable that one of these valves only be first unseated, an operation which obviously requires but half the force required to unseat two thereof, after which, the high pressure having been once broken, the other pressure valve may be unseated with but little difiiculty. Therefore, I make the valve stems of different lengths, whereby the corresponding valves 36 and 49 are successively unseated, similarly operating to successively unseat the valves 40 and 53, which similarly successively unseat the valves 4A and 57. Therefore, if the lever 96 is turned through a still greater arc, the cam 9st will elevate the tube 89 to a point where the valves 49 and have engaged the stems i5 and 58 of the valves 44: and 57, respectively, and unseat the latter in succession. Under such conditions, open passages have been provided from the ram chambers to the source of supply and the rains will be lowered under their wei ht.

Particular attention is directed to the fact that all of the valves are downwardly seating in a block which is provided with means for retaining the same in the substantially vertical position during operation of the device and which is relatively movable with respect to both the pressure generating and thepressure applying mechanisms.

Many modifications of minor details of my improved hydraulic pressure generating, controlling and applying apparatus .will

doubtless readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the artto which it appertains, and I therefore do not desire to limit my invention to the specific construction herein shown and described.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination, a plurality of multiple pumps, means apart therefrom for applying the generated pressures, and an individually -movable fitting containing all valves which are downwardy seating therein.

2. In combination, a plurality of multi ple pumps, means apart therefrom for applying the generated pressures, an individually-movable fitting containing all valves which are downwardly-Seating therein, and means for retaining said fitting in a. proper vertical position during operation of the de vice.

3. In combination, two double pumps, means apart therefrom for applying the generated pressures, and an individuallymovable fitting containing all valves which are downwardly seating therein, and means for retaining said fitting in a proper vertical position during operation of the device.

at. In combination, a plurality of multiple-plunger pumps, means apait therefrom for applying the generated pressures, the pump valves seating downwardly in an iiidividually-movable fittin and means for controlling said valves to render one or more of the plungers in each pump inoperative.

5. In combination, two doubleplunger pumps, means apart therefrom for applying the generated pressures, the pump valves seating downwardly in an individuallymovable fitting, and means for controlling said valves to render one or more of the plungers in each pump inoperative.

6. In combination, a plurality of multiple-plunger pumps, means apart therefrom for applying the generated pressures, the pump valves seating downwardly in an individually-movable fitting which is provided with means for retaining the same in a proper vertical position during operation of the device, and means for controlling said valves to render one or more of the plungers in each pump inoperative.

7. In combination, two doubleplunger pumps, means apart therefrom for applying the generated pressures, the pump valves seating downwardy in an individually-movable fitting which is provided with means for retaining the same in a proper vertical position during operation of the device, and means for controlling said valves to render one or more of the plungers in each pump inoperative.

8. In combination, two multiple pumps, means apart therefrom for applying the generated pressures, the pump valves being arranged in two separate series and downwardly seating in an individually-movable member, and means for positively unseating the lowest of the valves in both series, said means being further operable to unseat the remaining valves in said series.

9. In combination, two double pumps, means apart therefrom for applying the generated pressures, an individually-movable fitting having two series of three downwardly-seating cont-rolling valves, and means for positively unseating the lowest valves in both series, said means being further operable to unseat the remaining valves in said series.

10. In combination, two multiple pumps,

means apart therefrom for applying the generated pressures, the pump valves being arranged in two separate series, one for each pump, and downwardly seating in an individually-movable fitting, means for positively unseating the lowest valves in both series, said means being further operable to unseat the remaining valves in said series, and means for insuring vertical operation of said valves during use of the device.

11. In combination, two double pumps, means apart therefrom for applying the generated pressures, an individually-movable fitting having two series of three downwardly seating pump controlling valves, means for positively unseating the lowest valves in both series, said means being further operable to consecutively unseat the remaining valves in said series, and means for insuring vertical operation of the valves during use of the device.

12. In combination, a plurality of multiple pumps, a ram cylinder and ram, a suitable connecting conduit from each of the pump chambers and to the ram chamber which conduits unite in an individuallymovable fitting, said fitting containing all pump and pressure valves, and means for supplying liquid to the pump chambers through said fittings from a point below said valves which seat downwardly in said fitting.

13. In combination, a plurality of multiple pumps, a ram cylinder and ram, a suit able connecting conduit from each of the pump chambers and to the ram chamber which conduits unite in an individuallymovable member, said member containing all pump and pressure valves and means for their manual control, and means for supplying liquid to the pump chamber through said member from a point below said valves which seat downwardly in said member.

14. In combination, two multiple pumps, a ram cylinder and ram, a flexible connecting conduit from each of the pump chambers and to the ram chamber, said conduits uniting in an individually-movable member in which is located two series of downi l l means for controlling said valves, and means for supplying liquid to the pump chambers through said member from a point below said valves.

15. In combination, two multiple pumps, a ram cylinder and ram, a flexible connecting conduit from each of the pump chambers and to the ram chamber, said conduits uniting in an individually-movable member in which is located two series of downwardly-seating pump and pressure valves, means for controlling said valves, means for supplying liquid to the pump chambers through said member from a point below said valves, and means for securing vertical operation of said valves during use of the device.

16. In combination, two multiple pumps, a ram cylinder and ram, a suitable connecting conduit from each of the pump chambers and to the ram chamber, the conduits from each pump uniting in a single passage and said passages uniting in a common pressure-distributing chamber, a series of downwardly-seating pump and pressure controlling valves in each of said passages, means for rendering one or more of said valves inoperative, and means for supplying liquid to the pump chambers through said bore from a point below said valves.

17 In combination, two multiple pumps, a ram cylinder and ram, a suitable connecting conduit from each of the pump chambers and to the ram chamber, the conduits from each pump uniting in a single passage and said passages uniting in a common pressure-distributing chamber, a series of clownwardly-seating pump and pressure control ling valves in each of said passages, means for rendering one or more of said valves inoperative, means for supplying liquid to the pump chambers through said bore from a point below said valves, and means for se curing vertical operation of said valves during use of the device.

18. In combination, a plurality of pumps, at least one thereof comprising multiple plungers, a conduit from each pump chamber which conduits unite in a common pressure-distributing chamber, downwardlyseat-ing valves in each of said conduits, means common to all of said valves for rendering one or more thereof inoperative, and means for insuring substantially vertical operation of said valves during use of the device.

19. In combination, a plurality of pumps, at least one thereof comprising multiple plungers, a conduit from each pump cham her which conduits unite in a common pressure-distributing chamber, downwardlyseating valves in each of said conduits, meanscommon to all of said valves for rendering one or all thereof inoperative, and

wardly-seating pump and pressure valves, means for insuring substantially vertical operation of said valves during use of the device.

20.- In combination, a plurality of double pumps, suitable conduit from each pump chamber, the conduits from each pump uniting in a common passage and said passages uniting in a common-pressure-distributing chamber, downwardly-seating valves in each of said passages, means common to all of said valves for unseating the same to render one or more of the plungers in said pumps inoperative, and means .ior insuring substantially vertical operation of said valves during use of the device.

21. In combination, a plurality of double pumps, a suitable conduit from each pump chamber, the conduits from each pump uniting in a common passage and said passage uniting in a common pressure-distributing chamber, doWnwardly-seating valves in each of. said passages, means common to all of said valves for unseating the same in alternate and consecutive order, and means for insuring substantially vertical operation of said valves during use of the device.

22. In combination, a plurality of double pumps, a suitable conduit from each pump chamber, the conduits from each pump uniting in a common passage and said passages uniting in a common pressure-distributing chamber, downwardly-seating valves for one pump in each of said passages, one checking back-flow from one pump chamber, another checking back-flow from the other pump chamber and a third checking back-flow from the pressure-distributing chamber, means for successively unseating said valves in order, and means for insuring the substantially vertical operation of said valves during use of the device.

23. In combination, a plurality of double pumps, a suitable conduit from each pump chamber, the conduits from each pump uniting in a common passage and said passages uniting in a common pressure-distributing chamber, doWnWardly-seating valves for a respective pump in each of said passages, one checking back-flow from one pump chamber, another checking back-flow from the pumps, a ram cylinder and ram, a suitable connecting conduit from each of the pump chambers and to the ram chamber, the conduits from each pump uniting in a common passage and said passages uniting in a common pressure-distributing chamber, a series of three downwardly-seating valves in each of said passages, the lowest checking back flow from one pump-chamber, the highest checking back flow from the ram chamber, and the intermediate valve checking back flou from the other pump chamber, and means common to all of said valves for successively unseating said valves from the lowcst to the highest in order.

25. In combination, a plurality of double pumps, a ram cylinder and ram, a suitable connecting conduit from each of the pump chambers and to the ram chamber, the conduits from each pump uniting in a common passage and said passages uniting in a common pressuredistributing chamber, a series of three downwardly-seating valves in each of said passages, the lowest checking back flow from one pump chamber, the highest checking back flow from the ram chamber, and the intermediate valve checking back flow from the other pump chamber, means common to all of said valves for successively unseating said valves from the lowest to the highest in order, and means for insuring the substantially vertical operation of said valves during use of the device.

In testimony of the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES WV. NELSON \Vitnesses HELEN CRooKER, J AS. Moons. 

